Teaching 101 | Non-Verbal Attention Getters

I don’t know about you, but I refuse to yell over students in order to get their attention. I don’t have the energy for that; and, quite frankly, I hate raising my voice. It is the least effective way to get through to literally anyone. Also, allowing students to talk over you gives them the control instead of the other way around.

During my undergraduate studies my professor prompted everyone to think of an attention getter we can use while student teaching, and it was in that moment that I realized I had no clue what to do to get a class’s attention!

Since then I have tried a number of attention getters, and here are my top 8 non-verbal faves:

Remember, any attention getter must be established at the beginning of class, practiced, and repeated over and over again. I like to say something like this: “Okay guys. There may be a point today where I need to get your attention and to do that I do not want to raise my voice. So, instead, if you guys are talking and I need you to refocus, I am going to do [insert attention getter here], and when I do this you guys do it too and our voiced turn off. Let’s practice. You guys start talking and I will do [insert attention getter here] when I need your attention.”

1. Jazz Hands

   This is my all-time-favorite and one I currently use with my 6th grade classes. All you have to do is wave your hands in the air like you’re in a Broadway production (hence the name). When you do this the students should follow along. Keep waving your hands until the room is silent, and then continue on with your lesson.

2. Doorbell

   This one does require a purchase of a wireless doorbell, but it gets the job done without having to use your voice! You simply ring the doorbell and that is the class’s cue to turn their voices off and refocus their attention on you.

3. Light Switch

   Something as simple as flipping the lights off gives the students a visual cue to stop what they are doing and listen to the next instruction.

4. Clapping Pattern

   Making up a cool clapping pattern for the class to repeat works well for some educators! You would simply clap out a rhythm and the class would then know to turn their voices off and clap out the same rhythm. Of course, your claps would have to be louder then their talking, but it could work!

5. 5-4-3-2-1

   Similar to Jazz Hands, you would hold up a hand and slowly start putting a finger down to count backward from 5 to 1. You holding up a 5 would signal to the class that they should follow, and as you walk around the room and silently count down the volume levels should decrease until it is silent.

6. Timer

   This only works if you are looking to get their attention at specific points in the lesson. You would simply set a timer, and when it goes off that would signal to the students that it is time to face you and listen.

7. A Bell

   I have used this attention getter before and have seen it used. The concept is that you would ring a bell (I had a desk bell like at a hotel) and the class would know to stop talking. However, my professor did critique this specific attention getter and asked me flat out “are they (the students) dogs?” Since then, all I think of is Pavlov’s Dogs when I think of this attention getter and it is not one I use anymore, but still worth mentioning haha!

8. Drumroll

   This is a fun one to do with students, but can get out of control if not managed effectively! You, the teacher, would begin a drumroll on a desk (it could be yours or a student’s). The students would then join in on the drumroll until all of their voices are turned off. To signal the end of the drumroll you would simply lift your hands above your head and have students do the same.

I hope this was helpful for you! If you have any attention getters that you like to use leave them in the comments below!